Jul 30, 2007 7:27 pm US/Eastern
Budget Cuts Could Compromise Saugus' Safety
by Dawn Hasbrouck
Saugus (WBZ) ―
Budget cuts are taking a toll on public safety. A lack of money could mean a lack of response when it comes to an emergency on the North Shore.
"We just can't get it done the way it should be."
Lt. Michael Annese of the Saugus Police Department is making a telling statement about the state of public safety in Saugus after he had to force two officers into a 16-hour day Saturday just to cover the shift. "It happens quite often on the weekends."
Often because he says an already short staffed department has to cover what their budget does not. "The problem is staffing is not up to par... Our overtime budget has been cut and it's gonna be used up real soon," said Annese.
It all dates back to April when people voted against a tax override. That left police and fire under-funded when it came to their over-time budgets.
Here's a look at the numbers: In fiscal year 2007, Saugus police had $700,000 for overtime. In this fiscal year of 2008, which started July 1, they have $100,000.
In 2007, fire had $440,000. They now have $60,000.
"My money will be running out by the second week of august," said Saugus Fire Chief James Blanchard, who says he'll have to cut service. "We will be closing our engine 1, which is in Cliftondale and we'll be covering all of Saugus out of this firehouse right here with two pieces of apparatus -- which is a very unsafe condition."
For now, when people call 911, both fire and police say they're gonna have to be patient.
"They're gonna be put on a priority list and the priority list may not get to them," said police.
"If a fire does occur in your home, get out of the house, stay out of the house. Don't go back in… cuz we're gonna be delayed getting there."
The minimum number of police officers per shift is four and the police lieutenant says they have dropped below that number before.
The fire department says it should have nine firefighters per shift. The chief says when he drops below that number, he will close a fire station that day.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
